July 2023 Common Ground Newsletter

July 2023 Newsletter

Photo courtesy of New York State Department of Health

Health Commissioner visits with Common Ground coalitions

Newly confirmed New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald visited Western New York for a three-day trip in mid-June. He met with members of Common Ground Health’s African American and Latino Health Coalitions and staff of Common Ground Health as part of the tour.

"My goal with these trips is to cultivate strong relationships with our local public health leaders and to take what I learn to inform the work we do and the priorities we focus on at the Department of Health,” Commissioner McDonald said. 

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Healthi Kids to host inaugural Playful Learning Summit at the Strong Museum

On Monday, August 21, the Healthi Kids Coalition—a Common Ground Health initiative—will host its first Playful Learning Summit. This free conference, presented by the Strong National Museum of Play, will center on the power of play and active learning for physical health, social-emotional learning, mental wellness, and academics.

National thought leaders on culturally responsive approaches to playful learning will lead hands-on workshops on how play helps Black and Brown children and students with disabilities thrive.

Attendance is free, but registration is required and space is limited. Priority will be given to parents and families, community partners, and faculty and staff associated with RCSD, Greece Central School District, and Rochester charter schools.

Learn more »

Indigenous leaders partner with Common Ground Health for new health coalition

Local Indigenous leaders are partnering with Common Ground Health in the development of a new health coalition. This group will advocate on behalf of Indigenous health in what is now the Greater Rochester area and Upstate New York, representing the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee and Seneca peoples.

The Indigenous Health Coalition is presently seeking Indigenous applicants to join the group to provide direction to the advocacy activities of the coalition and to advise Common Ground Health in their efforts to ensure Indigenous health equity in their work

The Indigenous Health Coalition joins the ranks of the Latino Health Coalition, the African American Health Coalition, and the Healthi Kids Coalition in Common Ground Health's efforts to increase focus on health issues impacting at-risk populations.

Learn more and apply to join »

Community partners begin collaboration with Rochester’s Summer Meals program

It’s time for summer, when Rochester children will be busy with sports and activities, summer classes, camps or just spending time at their neighborhood R-Center.

The challenge for thousands of local families, however, is ensuring their children have convenient access to nutritious meals.

“With the conclusion of the school year, many children face a gap in receiving regular, balanced meals, which are a fundamental necessity for every child’s growth, well-being, and academic success,” said Dr. Carmine Peluso, Superintendent of the RCSD. “I encourage our families to take advantage of this invaluable resource in our city and join us in ensuring that all Rochester children have access to free, healthy meals during the summer months.”

Learn more and find a meal site »

Partner Spotlight: Penn Yan creates school-based health center

The Penn Yan School District and Finger Lakes Community Health are partnering to open a school-based health center offering medical services at Penn Yan Elementary School. Dental and behavioral health services will also be available at Penn Yan Middle School and Penn Yan Academy.

“These partners recognize that getting kids to appointments can take precious time out of a busy day,” said Dina Faticone, Chief Program Officer for Common Ground Health. “We applaud the Penn Yan district for making sure kids get what they need and taking the burden off of parents.”

Learn more »

Gallery: Hair and Health Symposium

The fourth Hair and Health Symposium took place on June 10 at Rochester Prep High School. Hosted by a group of barbers and stylists trained as community health educators, the event was sponsored by Common Ground Health, Rochester Regional Health and the Get it Done Initiative.

Common Ground seeks data analyst, accounting manager

Common Ground Health is presently seeking qualified candidates for a Data Analyst and an Accounting Manager.

Applicants should submit their cover letter and résumé to employment@commongroundhealth.org.

Learn more on our website »

In the headlines

New York State State Health Commissioner Visited Western New York to Meet with Local Health Care Leaders (June 16)

News 10 NBC Free event gives people opportunity to learn about link between hair and health (June 10)

Minority Reporter Hair & Health Symposium Event will Focus on Link Between Hair and Health (June 7)

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